Growth Persecution

[for_his_glory]

We know that persecution to death is very real especially in other countries where many are being tortured and killed for their faith in Christ and I am sure will come to America in time. The question we need to be asking ourselves if we are truly being Christ-like in all we do and say is, are we going to endure and proclaim the name of Jesus with our dying breathe or are we going to turn from Him in order to save our own life or the life of our families. Something to think about as you read what Jesus went through for us and what others are going through for His sake.

ISAIAH 50:6 I HID NOT MY FACE FROM SHAME.

JOHN 18:22 FIRST TO HIT JESUS WITH AN OPEN PALM ON HIS FACE WAS A PAGAN ARMY OFFICER.

JOHN 18:23 JESUS ASKED THE OFFICER "WHY DID YOU HIT ME"?

ISAIAH 50:6 I ALSO HID NOT MY FACE FROM SPITTING.

MARK 15:19 A REED HIT HIM ON THE HEAD.

LUKE 22:63 THEY HIT HIS BODY WITH THEIR FISTS.

ISAIAH 53:5 HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES.

ISAIAH 50:6 I GAVE MY CHEEKS TO THEM THAT PLUCKED OFF MY BEARD.

JOHN 19:2 A CROWN OF THORNS WAS FORCED INTO THE FLESH OF HIS HEAD

MATTHEW 27:28 STRIPPED NAKED.

ISAIAH 50:6 I GAVE MY BACK TO THE SMITERS.

PSALMS 22:17 I COUNT MY BONES: THEY LOOK AND STARE UPON ME

ISAIAH. 53:2 WHEN WE SEE HIM, THERE IS NO BEAUTY THAT WE SHOULD DESIRE HIM.

ISAIAH 52:14 MANY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIM. HIS FACE AND BODY WAS MARRED MORE THAN ANY MAN.

JOHN 19:23 SOLDIERS CRUCIFIED CHRIST JESUS.

JOHN 19:36, PSA 34:20, NOT A BONE OF HIS BODY COULD BE BROKEN.

JOHN 10:18 NO MAN TAKES MY LIFE FROM ME I LAY IT DOWN MYSELF.

JOHN 19:34 A SOLDIER WITH A SPEAR PIERCED HIS SIDE.


THE LAST EIGHT SAYING OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

1.) LUKE 23:34 Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

2.) LUKE 23:43 Today you shall be with me in paradise.

3.) JOHN 19:26 Woman, behold your son.

4.) JOHN 19:27 Behold your mother.

5.) MATTHEW 27:46 Eli, Eli lama sabachthani? That is to say, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

6.) JOHN 19:28 I thirst.

7.) JOHN 19:28 It is finished.

8.) LUKE 23:46 Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Persecution is alive and well in the U.S. if you are ministering in the right places (or wrong places.) My husband was in a situation where he was forced to make a decision on what he would speak at a function in a state park. They told him not to speak the words of Jesus. My husband informed the Park Ranger that he would go to prison but he was speaking the name of Jesus. I was confronted by a sheriff's officer because of my stand for the Lord. I told him to go ahead and shoot me but I wasn't going to back down. This isn't the same as actually consciously putting your life on the line for your belief. I think the Lord will give you courage when it comes time to stand for Him. He better, because without that, I don't have courage on my own to stand against torture and death.

 

[for_his_glory]

In our flesh we could never have that kind of courage, but as long as we remain in the Spirit of God we already have courage as we need not fear what man can do to use for the sake of our witness of Christ.

Mat_10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.